30 July 2014

World Hepatitis Day observed across the world on 28 July

World Hepatitis Day was observed across the world on 28 July 2014. The year’s theme Think Again, acknowledges that 'we do not know nearly enough about viral hepatitis as a health threat in much of the world.

The day s observed to raise awareness and influence real change in disease prevention and access to testing and treatment.

About World Hepatitis Day
World Hepatitis Day is an annual event that is observed on the 28 July. For the first time, it was launched in 2008 by the World Hepatitis Alliance in concern of chronic viral hepatitis. In May 2010 the World Health Assembly passed resolution WHA63.18 on viral hepatitis which provides official endorsement of World Hepatitis Day. Since 2010 World Hepatitis Day has been coordinated by the World Hepatitis Alliance in collaboration with the WHO.

28 July was chosen as a date for observing the World Hepatitis Day to mark the birthday of Professor Baruch Blumberg, the person who discovered hepatitis B virus. For his work on hepatitis B virus, Blumberg was awarded with the Nobel Prize.

Hepatitis
Hepatitis is a disease (medical condition) that leads to inflammation of the liver and it is characterized by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ. Viral Hepatitis is a disease that annually claims about 1.4 million deaths. The most common types of Hepatitis are A, B, C, D and E.